Kendrick, Byrd Lead Phils Past Marlins 2-1
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — If it was his last home start in Philadelphia, Kyle Kendrick ended it on a good note.
Marlon Byrd hit an RBI double and threw out a runner at the plate, leading Kendrick and the Phillies over the Miami Marlins 2-1 Saturday night.
Kendrick will become a free agent after the season and could be headed elsewhere after spending all eight years of his career in Philadelphia.
"I thought about it before the game and in-between innings some," Kendrick said. "If I'm somewhere else, I'll miss it. I'd like to come back here. I'm also excited to see what's out there."
Miami lost its fourth straight game and second minus star slugger Giancarlo Stanton, hit in the face by a fastball Thursday.
"We've got to find a way to get more than one run," Miami manager Mike Redmond said.
Byrd and rookie Maikel Franco drove in runs in the first inning.
Down by a run, the Marlins threatened in the seventh when Kendrick (9-12) gave up a pair of singles. He was pulled after striking out Jeff Mathis and Jake Diekman relieved.
Pinch-hitter Reed Johnson singled to right for the 1,000th hit of his career, but Byrd kept Philadelphia in front by nailing Justin Bour at the plate with a strong, one-hop throw.
"That was a big throw, big play," Kendrick said. "It was great throw."
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 37th save in 40 opportunities. He snared a hard grounder by Jordany Valdespin, popped it out of his glove hand and threw to first to end the game.
Brad Hand (3-7) took the loss.
"I feel like I battled tonight even though the first inning wasn't good," Hand said. "You don't want to put your team in a hole like that."
Kendrick pitched 6 1-3 innings for his fourth victory in five starts. He became the winningest pitcher on thePhiladelphia staff this season.
"He was very good," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said.
Kendrick pitched a 1-2-3 first, a rarity in a season in which he entered Saturday with a 9.31 first-inning ERA.
"I'm just trying to finish strong, on a good note," Kendrick said.
Franco made his first start at first base and had an RBI single along with two good defensive plays.
Garrett Jones hit his 15th homer for the Marlins.
Phillies rookie reliever Ken Giles pitched a scoreless eighth while ending his streak of consecutive batters retired at 25. His two-out walk to Marcell Ozuna was the first runner he's allowed in his last seven appearances.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Miami had Stanton's jersey hanging in its dugout. He is recovering in Miami and the team hasn't ruled out a return this season by a top NL MVP candidate.
Phillies: SS Jimmy Rollins missed his fifth straight game with a strained left hamstring sustained Monday against Pittsburgh.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Tom Koehler (9-9, 3.74) pitches the finale of the three-game series Sunday. He will be looking for his first victory since Aug. 17. He has a 3.24 ERA in his last four starts, all no-decisions.
Phillies: RHP David Buchanan (6-7, 3.90) has gone six straight starts without a victory, including four consecutive no-decisions. Buchanan, who last won on Aug. 6, earned the win over Miami on June 24when he allowed two runs on six hits in five innings.
STINGY BULLPEN
Diekman, Giles and Papelbon combined for 2 2-3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball. Philadelphia relievers have a big-league best 1.92 ERA since Aug. 5.
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